Chapter 214: None of Your Business, Sit Down

In the inner room, Yang Ling counted the Spirit Nurturing Pills. The quantity was correct, and the quality was all top-notch.

Chu Huatian stood to the side, secretly studying Yang Ling's profile.

"So young... about the same age as me, maybe a year or two younger. And he's already the Director of the First Division of the Changhe Prefectural Capital's Public Security Department..."

"This is what my father would call a local chief official, right? At least arrest, public security, and prison management all fall under the Ironclad Department's jurisdiction..."

"Damn..."

"Changhe Prefectural Capital governs sixteen cities... Each city has a population ranging from a million at most to three or four hundred thousand at least, totaling around six to seven million."

"Matters unrelated to people's livelihoods are basically all connected to the Ironclad Department. Director Yang's current status is enough to rival Prefectural Governor Lan..."

"My father tried every way possible but could only forge connections with a few Seventh-Rank commanders under Governor Lan."

"And me? I've already gotten to know the Director of the First Division of the Public Security Department!"

The more Chu Huatian thought about it, the more excited he became.

Yang Ling shot him a sideways glance. "What? Need to pee?"

"No, no..."

Chu Huatian quickly smiled.

"Then why are you twitching over there?"

Yang Ling said casually, "The Spirit Nurturing Pills are the right quantity, and I'm satisfied with the quality. You've worked hard this time. I might need to purchase more Spirit Nurturing Pills from your Chu Family Medicinal Shop in the future. No matter how many you sell each month, try to keep a batch reserved. I'll need them at any time."

Chu Huatian immediately straightened up.

"Rest assured, Director Yang. I'll go back and inform my father right away. We'll definitely get it done!"

"Mm, I won't see you out."

"Please, carry on with your work, Director Yang!"

Chu Huatian very consciously cupped his hands in a respectful bow, then scurried off happily.

He needed to rush back and tell his father this news.

"The Director of the First Division of the Public Security Department has been replaced, and nobody even knows! Haha, my Chu Family Medicinal Shop found out first. That's an advantage!"

After Chu Huatian left, Yang Ling closed the main door and began consuming the Spirit Nurturing Pills.

One by one, the Spirit Nurturing Pills entered his stomach, and warm currents flowed through his limbs and bones.

The proficiency of Twelve Paths Vajra Legs was also increasing at a visible rate.

Before he knew it, he had eaten a total of 177 Spirit Nurturing Pills.

Yang Ling glanced at his Status Panel.

Twelve Paths Vajra Legs (Flawless Proficiency)

Proficiency: 99963/100000

"Still got six Spirit Nurturing Pills left, only 37 experience points away. Even a mosquito's leg is still meat; I need to use them sparingly."

Yang Ling stood up and began practicing the Twelve Paths Vajra Legs in the inner room.

With his Spirit now at 200 points, an hour of training would increase his martial technique proficiency by 20 points.

Time passed without him noticing, and one hour went by.

The proficiency of Twelve Paths Vajra Legs finally broke through the 100,000 mark!

[Congratulations, Twelve Paths Vajra Legs has advanced to Skilled]

[Skilled: +36 Strength Boost]

"Finally broke through."

Yang Ling let out a sigh.

He now had two martial techniques at the Skilled level.

That wasn't far off from the veterans he had seen among the Divine Realm Natives.

...

An hour later, Tingjiang City.

"This place is much more prosperous than Green Mountain City. That river must be a tributary of the Tianyuan River. With this river here, the resources here would be richer than in other cities."

Yang Ling glanced at the large river filled with fishing boats in the distance, then asked someone for directions to the Chen Family Medicinal Shop.

When he arrived at the Chen Family Medicinal Shop, he could see quite a few martial artists coming and going.

"What would you like to buy, guest?"

The shop assistant, seeing Yang Ling's extraordinary bearing, stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hands.

"I want to see the person in charge at your Chen Family Medicinal Shop."

Yang Ling smiled.

The assistant was slightly startled. He studied Yang Ling a few more times, then asked cautiously, "May I ask who you are..."

"I'm from Yunwen Provincial Capital."

Yang Ling said, "Just go and announce me."

Yunwen Provincial Capital!?

The assistant didn't dare to be careless. He immediately led Yang Ling to an inner room to wait. About fifteen minutes later, a middle-aged man walked into the room.

"I heard the guest is from Yunwen Provincial Capital? May I ask how I should address you?"

The middle-aged man cupped his hands, his eyes constantly sizing up Yang Ling.

Yang Ling smiled. "Are you the one who can make decisions? Then let's get straight to the point. I want the thousand-year Fire Ginseng. Name your price."

The middle-aged man had already guessed as much. Seeing that the visitor was indeed after this item, he let out a light laugh.

"I'm sorry, guest, but the thousand-year Fire Ginseng has already been reserved by Prefectural Governor Lan of Changhe Prefectural Capital. I'm afraid you've made a wasted trip."

"Reserved by Governor Lan means you haven't been paid yet, and you haven't delivered the goods either, right?"

Yang Ling said flatly.

Seeing that Yang Ling showed no emotional reaction even upon hearing the title of Changhe Prefectural Capital's Governor Lan, the middle-aged man's expression grew serious.

"It's true that we haven't delivered the goods yet. This item is extremely expensive, and Governor Lan needs some time to gather the silver."

Yang Ling said, "Tell me, how much did he offer?"

The middle-aged man didn't answer. After a few moments of silence, he asked cautiously, "Guest, not many people know about the thousand-year Fire Ginseng. You're in Yunwen Provincial Capital, how did you come by this information? Besides, the journey from Yunwen Provincial Capital to our Tingjiang City is long and arduous. Even at best, it would take ten days to half a month..."

"Does any of this have anything to do with the Fire Ginseng?"

Yang Ling smiled in return.

The middle-aged man looked embarrassed. "No, it doesn't. But since we've already promised Governor Lan, we can't turn around and sell the thousand-year Fire Ginseng to you. Please forgive us."

"It seems the Chen Family Medicinal Shop's stance is very firm. Directly poaching them won't be possible."

"I'll just have to wait until they deliver the thousand-year Fire Ginseng to Changhe Prefectural Capital and then make my move."

With that thought, Yang Ling tried one last negotiation.

"Governor Lan uses silver. I can trade Foundation Consolidation Pills. Which deal do you think is more suitable for you?"

The middle-aged man was inwardly startled.

Anyone who could offer Foundation Consolidation Pills in exchange was no ordinary person!

This stuff was essential resources for martial artists' training.

Ordinary martial artists wouldn't even know where to buy it.

In Zhao State, Foundation Consolidation Pills were always supplied to those with connections, status, and talented experts!

Although the Chen Family Medicinal Shop could occasionally get their hands on some Foundation Consolidation Pills, the quantity was pitifully small—at most thirty to fifty pills a year, and that was the limit!

Just then, the assistant suddenly burst into the inner room, his expression terrified.

The middle-aged man frowned. "What's going on?"

The assistant stammered, "Y-young Master... it's..."

"Get lost. Let me do the talking."

A figure appeared behind the assistant and slapped him on the back of the head.

The assistant immediately fell to the ground, bleeding from his seven orifices.

Seeing this, the middle-aged man's eyes filled with horror.

Yang Ling also slowly stood up and looked at the newcomer.

The other man was about one meter ninety tall, built like a bear.

"None of your business. Sit down."

The man pointed at Yang Ling.

Yang Ling slowly sat down, opened the man's Status Panel, and glanced at it. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. An Eighth-Rank Expert.

Tingjiang City and Green Mountain City were on the same level. Even if it was a bit more prosperous, an Eighth-Rank Expert appearing here under normal circumstances was rare.

Having a few Ninth-Rank martial artists would have been good enough.

The other party's intention should be for the thousand-year Fire Ginseng.

"You're the Young Master of the Chen Family Medicinal Shop, right? Our Boss is already eating at your Chen residence, having a great chat with your old man."

"Your dad sent me to call you back for dinner together, and while you're at it, bring out the thousand-year Fire Ginseng so our Big Brother can feast his eyes on it."

The newcomer said boorishly, his tone extremely casual.